Topic: Al Qaeda
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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5 national security issues next president must tackle
President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
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Drone warfare: top 3 reasons it could be dangerous for US
Is the Central Intelligence Agency’s drone warfare campaign – secretly ordered targeted killings in countries like Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia – making America safer? Here are the top three dangers of drone warfare to America, according to new studies.
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Six reasons this UN General Assembly is must-see TV
World leaders descend on New York for the annual United Nations gathering, starting Sept. 25. If the recent past is any guide, it can be a memorable, even explosive, occasion. Here are six moments to watch for, to brace for, this time.
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Blasphemy riots: 6 examples around the world
Many Muslims consider any depiction of the prophet to be forbidden, and Islamic teachings call for handling the Quran with respect. Incidents of both intentional and unintentional disrespect have occasionally prompted protests and violence around the world. Here are six examples:
All Content
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Amid bloodshed and chaos, Syrian wages a war for neutral reporting
Rami Jarrah, a Syrian anti-regime activist now living in Cairo, is launching Syria's first non-state-run news outlet to provide something he sees as sorely missing: objective reporting.
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Terrorism & Security
US drone strike in Pakistan kills influential Taliban commanderUS strikes in northwest Pakistan reportedly killed Maulvi Nazir, a Pakistani Taliban commander known for fighting US forces in Afghanistan. Some in Pakistan's military viewed him as a 'good' Taliban.
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Judge dismisses case involving targeted killing of Americans overseas
The ACLU and New York Times had sought access to government documents explaining the legal justification for a US drone strike that killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen and suspected Al Qaeda operative in Yemen.
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Terrorism & Security
Any end in sight? Syrian conflict enters third calendar year (+video)Many believed 2012 would be Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's last year in power, but at the outset of 2013 the conflict appears locked in a stalemate with alarming fatality rates.
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Senate report faults State Department in Benghazi attack
A report by the Senate called the State Department's choice to keep a US mission open in Benghazi a mistake. The report also faulted the intelligence community for a lack of specific information surrounding the deadly Sept. 11 attack in Libya, in which four Americans were killed.
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Pakistan militants attack Muslim pilgrims
More than 320 Shiites have been killed this year in Pakistan and attacks are on the rise, which suggests the government is 'indifferent,' according to New York-based Human Rights Watch.
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Drone use surges in Yemen, the frontline against Al Qaeda
Drone strikes in Yemen skyrocketed in 2012, as much as tripling in frequency when compared to 2011.
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Pakistan Taliban chief says TTP will negotiate, but not disarm
'We believe in dialogue but it should not be frivolous,' Pakistan Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud said in a 40 minute video. 'Asking us to lay down arms is a joke.'
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Terrorism & Security
US embassy evacuated as rebels surge in Central African RepublicThe turmoil in the landlocked African nation has prompted calls for France to intervene militarily in its former colony. 'Those days are gone,' said French President François Hollande.
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Focus
In 2013, possibilities for stability from Somalia to South China SeaPolicymakers in many of the world's hot spots have a common New Year's wish: for unity to usher in and consolidate political and economic stability.
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Violence in Iraq spikes. Are US security interests in jeopardy?
A recent rise in civilian deaths and injuries in Iraq is cause for concern, but Pentagon personnel say Iraqi security forces are proving to be 'very capable' in the year since US troops departed.
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Britain details its exit strategy from Afghanistan
British soldiers in Afghanistan will fall from 9,000 to 5,200 next year, according to Prime Minister Cameron. 'There will not be a cliff-edge reduction in troop numbers at the end of 2014,' he said.
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Stinging Benghazi report leads to three resignations (+video)
An independent panel faults two State Department offices for the security shortcomings that contributed to the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11.
- Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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The Monitor's View: What Kerry, Hagel would bring to Obama diplomacy
Reports of Sen. John Kerry becoming Secretary of State, and Republican Chuck Hagel being tapped for Defense, hint at a new attempt to use 'soft power' in Obama's second term. But will it work?
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Backchannels
Richard Engel freed, but news blackout debate remainsNBC Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel and two other reporters are free today after five days of captivity in Syria.
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Terrorism & Security
NBC's Richard Engel released in Syria, a journalist danger zone (+video)The Syrian conflict is making 2012 the deadliest year on record for journalists.
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John Kerry, Chuck Hagel: Vietnam vets to lead US foreign and defense policies?
Sen. John Kerry is the leading contender to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Former GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel could be Obama's next Defense Secretary.
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Susan Rice's surprise withdrawal saves Obama a fight (+video)
UN ambassador Susan Rice, once perceived as a natural replacement for Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, has withdrawn her name from the nomination process. It now seems likely that President Obama will pick Senator John Kerry for the role.
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Why Susan Rice withdrew her name as secretary of State (+video)
Republican senators had vowed a fight if Obama nominated Susan Rice to be his next secretary of State. Their opposition centered on her erroneous public statements about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
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CIA rendition case: European court holds Macedonia partly responsible
The decision is important because it suggests that US allies that helped the CIA undertake its secret detention and interrogation program may face liability for their role supporting such operations.
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For newly recognized Syrian rebel coalition, a first dispute with US (+video)
In Morocco, the 'Friends of Syria' recognized the new rebel coalition. But the day was marred by reports of Scud fire by the Assad regime and by a dispute with the US over designating a group as terrorist.
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Syrian opposition receives U.S. recognition
In an effort to isolate the Assad regime, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the Syrian opposition coalition is now inclusive enough to warrant formal recognition as being representative of the Syrian people. This status could qualify the group for further U.S. assistance moving forward.
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Alleging US torture, terror convict Padilla appeals to Americas’ rights group
Jose Padilla's mother is alleging to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that her son, currently in solitary confinement in a Colorado prison, was tortured during his 4 years in a naval brig.
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US draws line in Syria: aligns with moderate rebels, labels others terrorists
On the verge of formally recognizing a rebel coalition as representing the Syrian people, the US designated the al-Nusra Front as a terrorist organization that is an arm of Al Qaeda in Iraq.
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